software prototyping

Software prototyping

Incomplete versions of the software program being developed. Prototyping can also be used by end users to describe and prove requirements that developers have not considered

Benefits:

The software designer and implementer can obtain feedback from the users early in the project. The client and the contractor can compare if the software made matches the software specification, according to which the software program is built.

It also allows the software engineer some insight into the accuracy of initial project estimates and whether the deadlines and milestones proposed can be successfully met.

Advantages of prototyping

1. Reduced time and costs

2. Improved and increased user involvement

Disadvantages of prototyping

1. Insufficient analysis

2. User confusion of prototype and finished system

3. Developer misunderstanding of user objectives

4. Developer attachment to prototype

5. Excessive development time of the prototype

6. Expense of implementing prototyping

Prototyping in the Software Process

System prototyping

 Prototyping is the rapid development of a system

 In the past, the developed system was normally thought of as inferior in some way to the required system so further development was required

 Now, the boundary between prototyping and normal system development is blurred and many systems are developed using an evolutionary approach

Uses of system prototypes

 The principal use is to help customers and developers understand the requirements for the system

• Requirements elicitation. Users can experiment with a prototype to see how the system supports their work

• Requirements validation. The prototype can reveal errors and omissions in the requirements

 Prototyping can be considered as a risk reduction activity which reduces requirements risks

Prototyping benefits

 Misunderstandings between software users and developers are exposed

 Missing services may be detected and confusing services may be identified

 A working system is available early in the process

 The prototype may serve as a basis for deriving a system specification

 The system can support user training and system testing